Joyeuxiella echinorhynchoides is a tapeworm that occurs in the Mediterranean region. Adult worms are up to 26 cm long. The Scolex has four suction cups, the Rostellum up to 25 rows of hooks. The sexually mature tapeworm limbs resemble a pumpkin seed and have double-edged, opposite genital pores in the middle of the limb. The uterus is divided into egg capsules, each containing only one tapeworm egg. The limbs cannot be distinguished morphologically from other closely related tapeworms such as Joyeuxiella pasqualei . Dung beetles actas intermediate hosts. Reptiles and small mammals can be involvedin the chain of infectionas transport hosts. J. echinorhynchoides can also affect humans and is therefore a zoonotic agent .
Regine Ribbek and Steffen Rehbein: Helminth pants . In: Marian C. Horzinek et al. (Ed.): Diseases of the cat . Enke-Verlag, 4th edition 2005, pp. 207-226. ISBN 3-8304-1049-2
